Kuwait grants amnesty for illegal migrants

The Government of Kuwait has declared a general amnesty that will be effective until October 15, 2008, under which foreigners who are staying in Kuwait without valid visas or resident permits, to leave the country, and avoid facing the penalties imposed by the law.

Sri Lankans who do not have valid visas and those who have lost their passports or whose passports have been kept by their sponsors can make use of this opportunity to obtain Emergency Certificates from the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait and thereafter secure Exit Permits from the Immigration Office for their departure, the Foreign Ministry said.

Parents also can avail themselves of this facility in respect of their new born babies, who do not possess resident permits, in order to leave the country with their parents.

The Foreign Ministry has deployed a team of officers on special duty at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait to facilitate the repatriation of Sri Lankans who wish to utilize the amnesty announced by the Kuwaiti authorities to leave the country. The team would oversee the issuance of Emergency Certificates to Sri Lankans and also assist those who need to obtain Exit Permits to leave Kuwait.

Sri Lankans who are living in Kuwait without valid resident permits or travel documents are strongly urged to make use of this opportunity offered by the Kuwaiti Government to regularize their stay in the State of Kuwait, with the concurrence of their sponsors or in the alternative, return to Sri Lanka.

The next of kin in Sri Lanka of such persons who are in Kuwait are also encouraged to advise their relatives to immediately contact the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait for this purpose.

Expatriates in Kuwait who over-stay their visas or whose residence is otherwise illegal are liable to be taken into custody and face imprisonment and payment of a fine after the expiry of the amnesty.